Closure Date at Evans County PFA Rapidly Approaching

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (5/11/2012)

Anglers looking to stock their freezer should visit Evans County Public Fishing Area in the next few weeks as the limit on what they can take increased after preparations began for an upcoming improvement project on the area. The PFA will temporarily close on June 1, 2012 and re-open in 2013.

“The draining of the lake at Evans County has begun, so fish are being pushed into concentrated areas, which should make the fish-catching easier,” says John Biagi, fisheries chief of the Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources. “We encourage people to head to the area and take advantage of the opportunity.”

Limit Increases

The “take” limit on most fish species has increased: Bream limit is 50 per person (formerly 15); largemouth bass is 10 per person with a 12-inch minimum length (formerly five per person with a 14-inch minimum length); channel catfish has no limit (formerly five per person); and crappie is 30 per person (no change).

Improvements Coming

Multiple issues, such as tree growth on the dam and wave erosion, currently affect the nearly 50-year old impoundment. Bond funding will support tree and stump removal, slope rebuilding and grading for structural integrity and improved maintenance, and rip-rap installation to prevent further wave damage. Fisheries Management plans to rebuild the fish population with restocking and add lake enhancements, such as fish attractors.

Alternative Fishing Locations

Anglers needing an alternative location to fish during the construction period have several options:

Evans County PFA, located east of Claxton, Georgia, is a 372-acre area that includes three separate impoundments. Lakes Longleaf, Woody and Bidd Sands attract more than 5,000 anglers each year with an additional almost 4,000 guests visiting the area. The area boasts concrete boat ramps with courtesy docks, fishing piers, primitive camp sites, boardwalk nature trail, restrooms and picnic tables.

This PFA also is home to alligator and waterfowl hunts. Sportsmen drawn for these quota hunts will be able to participate in the hunts during renovation, but should check with staff to verify the lakes have water (September 2012-January 2013). Fishing is expected to resume in June 2013.